Wind-responsive sprinkler regulator

ABSTRACT

A screen is operatively connected to a transverse wind vane and pivoted with the vane about a horizontal axis relative to the vertical rotational axis of a rotatable sprinkler head having a nozzle forming a spray jet. The screen is pivotable across the nozzle in response to wind velocity, so that as the water jet faces into or against the wind, the screen is held clear of the spray allowing maximum trajectory of the spray jet against the wind. When the spray moves downwind, or in the same direction as the wind, the screen pivots into the spray jet to shorten its trajectory by dissipating the jet into small droplets. A substantially circular sprinkling pattern and thereby, even water dispersal may thus be maintained regardless of wind velocity or direction.

Jan. 1, 1974 WIND-RESPONSIVE SPRINKLER Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood,Jr. Assistant Examiner-John J. Love Attorney-Greek Wells et al.

REGULATOR [76] Inventor: William H. Crumpacker, 1538 School Ave., WallaWalla, Wash. 99362 [57] ABSTRACT A screen is operatively connected to atransverse wind 22 Filed: Jan. 22, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 325,879

vane and pivoted with the vane about a horizontal axis relative to thevertical rotational axis of a rotatable sprinkler head having a nozzleforming a spray jet. [52] US. 239/232, 239/504, 239/508, The Screen ispivotable across the nozzle in response to wind velocity, so that as thewater jet faces into or against the wind, the screen is held clear ofthe spray allowing maximum trajectory of the spray jet against the wind.When the spray moves downwind, or in the [51] Int. [58] Field ofSearch.................... 239/230, 231, 232, 239/233, 50 A, 507, 508,509, 510, 511, 516

same direction as the wind, the screen pivots into the spray jet toshorten its trajectory by dissipating the jet into small droplets. Asubstantially circular sprinkling pattern and thereby, even waterdispersal may thus be S T N m n e m mT S e D E H N U (M U 239/231239/231 maintained regardless of wind velocity or direction. 239/508 X239/1 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures n e S d u n K 1,806,100 5/1931Thompson 3,009,652 11/1961 ,McKay........ 3,465,968 9/1969 Halpern3,667,673 6/1972 PATENTEU JAN 1 I974 sum 2 BF 2 WIND-RESPONSIVESPRINKLER REGULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION for the purpose ofevenly distributing water. This problem has been realized to a limiteddegree by the following U. S. Patents: No. 1,751,345 granted to TashiroMatsui; No. 2,539,976 granted to Joseph Samson et al; No. 2,988,287granted to Roger M. Sherman; and No. 3,465,968 granted to Lewis Halpern.

The Matsui patent discloses a lawn or garden type sprinkler having amanually pivotable screen affixed thereto for dissipating a spray jet toshorten the length of the spray. This sprinkler does not rotate as doesa pulsating rotational type, nor is the screen automatically operated inresponse to wind direction and velocity.

The patents to Samson and Halpern both disclose manually operable spraycontrol attachments for shower'flxtures, the primary function of whichis to enable the used to deflect the shower spray downwardly.

Perhaps the most directly related patent of those cited above is thatgranted to R. M. Sherman titled Boom Sprinkler withWind ResponsiveMeans." The Sherman patent discloses spray nozzles for irrigationpurposes which are pivoted in response to wind direction. Furtherdisclosed are nozzles which include wind actuated valves for varying thespray pressure in response to the wind velocity. The apparatus includesboth the sprinkler head and the wind control device as a unit, therebyinvolving considerable conversion expense for existing irrigationsystems.

The apparatus of the present invention is externally mountable toexisting sprinklers and includes external means for varying thesprinkler pattern with respect to wind velocity and direction. Sprinklercontrol is provided by a screen mounted to an upright transverse windvane. The screen is pivotable about a horizontal axis in response towind velocity, which thereby moves the screen into and out of the pathof the spray jet emitting from the sprinkler head. The apparatus isdesigned so that the screen moves into the spray jet only when thedirection of the spray jet is downwind. The screen is normally heldclear of the spray jet by a torsion spring mounted about the pivotalaxis of the screen and vane. This normal position assures the usualcircular spray pattern under low or no wind conditions. When the windvelocity is sufficient to affect the usual spray pattern, the screen isautomatically pivoted to an operative position as the spray jet rotatesinto downwind position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus disclosed herein basicallycomprises a wind responsive sprinkler regulator for revolving sprinklersof the type having a nozzle rotatable about a vertical axis fordirecting a spray jet of water over a substantially circular area. Theregulator includes a deflector frame pivotably carried by a supportframe. The deflector frame is pivotal about a horizontal axis and ispivoted, in response to wind-velocity, to move a deflecting meansbetween a position clear of the spray jet and an operative positionwherein the deflecting means intersects the spray jet. A transversewind-resistant vane on the deflector frame is operable to pivot thedeflecting means as described in response to wind force so that thedeflector intersects the spray jet only when the jet is directedsubstantially downwind. In an alternate form of the invention thedeflector frame is held freely pivotable relative to the nozzle andincludes an upright rudder affixed thereto for continuously directingthe deflecting means downwind of the vertical axis of the sprinkler. i

It is a first object of my invention to provide a wind responsivesprinkler regulator that may be easily mounted to existing forms ofpulsating rotational type sprinklers.

Another primary object is to provide such a regulator that isautomatically operable in response to wind direction and velocity. todeflect the spray jet emitting from such sprinklers and thereby preservea substantially circular spray pattern wherein the water is evenlydistributed.

An additional object is to provide such a regulator that is simple inconstruction and relatively maintenance feee.

A yet further object is to provide such a regulator that is operable todeflect the spray jet in varying degree directly relative to varyingforce of wind thereby further facilitating even dispersal of wateracross the circular spray pattern.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the,following description which, taken with the accompanying drawings,describe a preferred and alternate form of the invention.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational viewshowing a preferred form of the wind control device mounted to arotating type sprinkler;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the torsion spring biasing means;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the devicein an operative position;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the screen utilized for bothillustrated embodiments; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of thedevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT Referringnow to the drawings in greater detail, there is shown in FIG. I apreferred form of the invention mounted on a sprinkler head designatedby the reference numeral 10. Sprinkler 10, is of the pulsating,rotational type commonly used for farm irrigation purposes. It isnormally mounted to a riser l2 and includes a nozzle 11 through which aspray jet is directed radially as the nozzle 11 revolves in a circularpath about a vertical rotational axis. A spring loaded deflector bar 13is also provided, which oscillates into and out of the jet to aid ineven water dispersal and in powering the head to rotate.

The normally circular spray pattern developed by rotation of nozzle 11is easily affected by directional wind velocity. As the spray jet isdirected into or against the wind, the length of the jet is shortened,by the force of the wind against the water droplets. As the spray jet isdirected downwind, the spray jet is lengthened as the wind force carriesthe droplets downwind. The resulting variation in spray trajectoryproduces an oblong or ellipitcal spray pattern in which the water isunevenly dispersed. The apparatus of the present disclosure is designedto move closely maintain a circular spray pattern regardless of winddirection by automatically pivoting a deflector means comprising ascreen 26 into the spray jet as the jet rotates downwind. This isaccomplished by a wind vane 31 which is operatively connected to screen26. The screen dissipates the water, shortening the length of the sprayjet trajectory to approximately the same length as when it is directedinto the wind.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device includes an upright U-shaped supportframe member 20 having at its horizontal base section, a split clamp 21which mounts the device to head 70 by means of a bolt 22. The clamp isutilized to removably mount the device to sprinkler head for rotationalmovement with the sprinkler head relative to the stationary riser 12.

' The upper ends of the upright members of frame include bearings 23which pivotably mount a horizontal axle of a deflector screen frame 27.

Screen frame 27 includes a pair of upright upwardly projecting legs 28,each adjacent one end of axle 30. Members 28 extend upwardly above axle30 to mount the transverse wind vane 31 with its planar face parallel tothe upright members 28.

Screen frame 27 also includes downwardly projecting extensions 29 whichare also mounted adjacent each end of axle member 30 coextensive withmembers 28. The axis of axle 30 is horizontal. In this form of theinvention, since the screen frame 27 revolves about the vertical axiswith nozzle 11, the horizontal axis is also perpendicular to a verticalplane centered along nozzle 11 and the spray jet 9 that exits fromnozzle 11. Screen 26 is mounted to the extensions 29 by verticallyspaced U-shaped members 35. Members 35 extend angularly outward fromupright members 28 to mount screen 26 between vertically spaced curvedportions 36 thereon. The screen 26 is held by members 28 so that in anoperative position (FIGS. 2 and 5) it is spaced outwardly from nozzle 11and deflector 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, biasing means in the form of a torsion spring 32 ismounted on axle 30 between an upright 28 and the adjacent upright memberof the U- shaped frame 20. Torsion spring 32 provides means for normallybiasing screen 26 to a first, upward position shown in FIG. 1, away fromthe spray jet 9. A retaining chain 39 is fixed between clamp 21 andextensions 29 to provide means for preventing upward pivotal movement ofthe screen beyond a desired angle. The limit of movement upwardly issuch as to hold the planar face of vane 31 above a horizontal position,assuring resistance to wind necessary to pivot screen 26 in oppositionto spring 32. Members 29 extend below the horizontal portion of frame 20as shown in FIG. 5 to provide a stop against pivotal movement of thescreen in a counter clockwise direction, past a second, operativeposition where the screen fully intersects the spray jet.

Vane 31 is therefore continuously held in a position wherein its planarface faces the wind.

In the preferred form, the device is mounted to the sprinkler head 10 sothat the rotational movement normally imparted to the sprinkler head bywater pressure also serves to rotate the regulating device fixed to thesprinkler head. Therefore, as the spray jet moves against or into thewind as shown in FIG. 8, the screen is held in the first position out ofthe spray jet by the tension of spring 32 and by the force of the windagainst the wind vane 31. As the sprinkler head moves the spray jetdownward, wind pressure against the vane 31 pivots screen 26 downwardly,about the horizontal axis of axle 30 to the second position, tointersect the spray jet and thereby dissipate the spray as shown in FIG.9, shortening the length of the jet to create a substantially circularsprinkler pattern.

The screen 26 as shown in FIG. 7 comprises horizontally spaced verticalscreen grid members 26a and vertically spaced screen grid members 26b.The spaces between members 26a are substantially equal while the spacesbetween horizontal members 26b are diminished upwardly. As such, thesprayjet may be gradually shortened relative to the wind velocity and tothe angle of the spray jet with respect to the wind direction.

Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, then, it may be seen that as thesprinkler rotates, the upward bias of torsion spring 32 is graduallyovercome as more surface area of vane 31 is exposed to wind current froma direction as indicated by the arrows. As the spring torsion isovercome, the screen is gradually pivoted downward from the firstposition into the spray jet, with the widely spaced meshes at the bottomof the screen first coming into contact with the jet. Since the screenmembers 26b are spaced apart further at the bottom of the screen than atthe top, it follows that the spray jet, when engaged by these members,is only partially dissipated, and becomes further dissipated as thefiner mesh is pivoted into the spray jet. Thus the spray jet isdissipated more as it rotates toward a downwind position (FIG. 9) where,when the spray is directed in the same direction as the wind, acondition of maximum dissipation is reached. As the sprinkler continuesto rotate past the point of maximum dissipation, the screen pivotsgradually upward, increasing the density of the spray jet, as torsionspring 32 overcomes the force of the wind against a decreasing surfacearea of vane 31.

The purpose of maintaining such a circular spray pattern is toeffectively and evenly distribute water over the pattern. Assuming asubstantially constant rotational velocity of the spray head andconstant water pressure, it may be understood that even distribution ismaintained, providing the spray pattern is circular. If the spray isallowed to be hampered by wind currents, the spray pattern is elongatedat one side of the sprinkler and shortened at the opposite side,preventing even water distribution across the pattern.

The alternate form of my invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In thisform, a freely pivotable frame 37 is utilized to allow the screen to bepivoted about a vertical axis with regard to the direction of the wind.This is accomplished by leg members 41 extending downwardly fromU-shaped frame 20. The lower ends of legs 41 are affixed to outer racesof a vertically spaced pair of bearings 38. The inner races of bearings38, in turn, are removably mounted to sprinkler riser 12. Screen 26 andvane 31 are thereby free to pivot about the vertical axis of riser 12. Adirectional rudder 42 is also mounted to the outer races of bearings 38having a planar face 43 perpendicular to that of vane 31. Rudder 42 ismounted elevationally below screen 26 and extends radially outwardlyfrom riser 12 in the same direction thereof. The force of wind againstrudder 42 serves to pivot screen 26 to a position downwind of thevertical rotational axis. The screen 26 is thereby held constantlydownwind of the sprinkler head regardless of the position of the sprayjet.

It may be obvious from the above description and the attached drawingsthat various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the intended scope of the invention which is defined inthe following claims.

The angular extent of the dissipating screen for example might beextended about the sprinkler any desired amount, and variation in spraypattern can be further achieved by varying the screen opening sizestransversely as well as vertically as described above, or a simplescreen having uniform openings in a constant grid can be used. Or a moreeconomincal model could be made to clamp rigidly to the riser 12 tocontrol the water jet on only one side of the sprinkler. Essentially thedisclosure is concerned with movable control of the deflector by windforce to shorten the downwind range or trajectory of a sprinkler nozzle.

What I claim is:

1. A wind-responsive sprinkler regulator for a revolving sprinklernozzle on a supportive water supply structure, the nozzle having aradial outlet for rotation about a central vertical axis to direct aspray jet of water in a revolving pattern over a substantially circulararea centered about the vertical axis, comprising:

a support frame adapted to be located adjacent the sprinkler nozzle forrotation about said vertical axis;

a deflector frame pivotally mounted on said support frame about ahorizontal axis;

deflecting means fixed to said deflector frame for selectively modifyingthe trajectory of the spray jet from the nozzle, said deflecting meansbeing located within an arcuate segment to one side of the vertical axisand being spaced radially outward from said vertical axis a distancegreater than the radial dimension of said nozzle;

means on said support frame and deflector frame limiting angular pivotalmovement of said deflector frame about said horizontal axis between afirst angular position wherein the deflecting means clears of therevolving spray jet from the nozzle and a second angular positionwherein maximum interception of the spray jet by the deflecting means isachieved;

biasing means between said support frame and deflector frame for urgingthe deflector frame toward one of said angular positions;

and a directional wind-resistant vane on said deflector frame arrangedrelative to said horizontal axis to cause the force of wind thereon topivot the de flector frame about said horizontal axis from said firstangular position toward said second angular position in opposition tosaid biasing means while the deflecting means is downwind from thevertical axis.

2. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein said deflecting meanscomprises a partially open screen grid.

3. A device as set out in claim 2 wherein the openings of the screengrid are progressively varied in size across the screen area.

4. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflector frame is fixedrelative to the nozzle and revolves in union with said nozzle about thevertical axis;

said horizontal axis being perpendicular to a vertical plane centeredalong the outlet of the nozzle.

5. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflector frame isrotatably mounted by the supportive structure of the nozzleindependently of the nozzle itself for rotational movement about saidvertical axis, and further comprising:

upright rudder means fixed to the deflector frame and extending radiallyoutward relative to the vertical axis in a place bisecting thedeflecting means for maintaining the deflecting means downwind from thevertical axis.

6. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein said deflector framecomprises:

a pair of laterally spaced parallel arms directed upward from saidhorizontal axis and each having lower integral extensions directeddownward from Said horizontal axis;

a solid planar vane extending across said arms;

said deflecting means comprising a transverse open grid fixed to saidextensions.

7. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflecting meanscomprises:

a transversely curved open grid substantially gener ated about saidvertical axis when viewed in plan at said second angular positionthereof.

1. A wind-responsive sprinkler regulator for a revolving sprinklernozzle on a supportive water supply structure, the nozzle having aradial outlet for rotation about a central vertical axis to direct aspray jet of water in a revolving pattern over a substantially circulararea centered about the vertical axis, comprising: a support frameadapted to be located adjacent the sprinkler nozzle for rotation aboutsaid vertical axis; a deflector frame pivotally mounted on said supportframe about a horizontal axis; deflecting means fixed to said deflectorframe for selectively modifying the trajectory of the spray jet from thenozzle, said deflecting means being located within an arcuate segment toone side of the vertical axis and being spaced radially outward fromsaid vertical axis a distance greater than the radial dimension of saidnozzle; means on said support frame and deflector frame limiting angularpivotal movement of said deflector frame about said horizontal axisbetween a first angular position wherein the deflecting means clears ofthe revolving spray jet from the nozzle and a second angular positionwherein maximum interception of the spray jet by the deflecting means isachieved; biasing means between said support frame and deflector framefor urging the deflector frame toward one of said angular positions; anda directional wind-resistant vane on said deflector frame arrangedrelative to said horizontal axis to cause the force of wind thereon topivot the deflector frame about said horizontal axis from said firstangular position toward said second angular position in opposition tosaid biasing means while the deflecting means is downwind from thevertical axis.
 2. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein said deflectingmeans comprises a partially open screen grid.
 3. A device as set out inclaim 2 wherein the openings of the screen grid are progressively variedin size across the screen area.
 4. A device as set out in claim 1wherein the deflector frame is fixed relative to the nozzle and revolvesin union with said nozzle about the vertical axis; said horizontal axisbeing perpendicular to a vertical plane centered along the outlet of thenozzle.
 5. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflector frame isrotatably mounted by the supportive structure of the nozzleindependently of the nozzle itself for rotational movement about saidvertical axis, and further comprising: upright rudder means fixed to thedeflector frame and extending radially outward relative to the verticalaxis in a place bisecting the deflecting means for maintaining thedeflecting means downwind from the vertical axis.
 6. A device as set outin claim 1 wherein said deflector frame comprises: a pair of laterallyspaced parallel arms directed upward from said horizontal axis and eachhaving lower integral extensions directed downward from said horizontalaxis; a solid planar vane extending across said arms; said deflectingmeans comprising a transverse open grid fixed to said extensions.
 7. Adevice as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflecting means comprises: atransversely curved open grid substantially generated about saidvertical axis when viewed in plan at said second angular positionthereof.